Teaching Horses with Positive Reinforcement: A Guide to Achieving Success with Clicker Training

Horses learn better when they are reinforced for their efforts. They learn even better when there is clear communication that tells them when they have gotten the right answer. The use of the clicker (or other marker signal) in combination with positive reinforcement provides both clarity and motivation for learning. Positive reinforcement is a great way to teach your horse new behaviors, improve existing behaviors, and address problem behaviors. It can be used in place of more traditional training techniques and is very effective for all types of behaviors including basic manners around the barn, leading, tying, hoof handling, trailering, ground work and riding. Clicker training is also ideal for teaching horses to approach novel objects, go over obstacles and work independently. Clicker trained horses are bright and enthusiastic and the shared learning experience creates a special bond with the trainer. The basic method involves clicking when the horse does the desired behavior and delivering a meaningful reinforcer. In the beginning, we use food, but other reinforcers can be used once the horse knows the behavior, or if they are more appropriate. Behaviors can be taught using a variety of methods including free shaping, capturing, targeting, molding, and shaping with contact or environmental cues. This book takes an in-depth look at how to get started with clicker training and is meant for horse owners and professionals who are new to clicker training. But, it also contains many details and suggestions that will be useful for anyone who has tried this method and wants to learn more. It includes chapters on food delivery and teaching polite manners around food, why clicker training works (the science behind it), introducing clicker training, setting up your sessions, and how to teach your first behaviors. The material includes numerous quotes and references to the work of some of the most successful positive reinforcement trainers including Alexandra Kurland, Kay Laurence, Karen Pryor, and others.